Fuel Tank Mounted Refueling Device

ABSTRACT

A refueling device that when mounted to a marine fuel tank facilitates refueling and minimizes the propensity for both spit-back and well back while simultaneously allowing a free flowing open pathway through which vapors generated by the refueling event may pass unencumbered.

This application is related to and claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/001,899 filed May 22, 2014. Application 62/001,899 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to marine refueling and more particularly to a fuel tank mounted refueling device.

2. Description of the Problem

The US EPA has introduced refueling protocols for marine pleasure vessels (boats) into the Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 40 Parts 1060 et seq. namely and specifically that an operator (the person refueling) can reasonably expect not to experience a Spitback or well-back event. Such an event leads to fuel spillage and creates the danger of fire and bodily harm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a refueling device that when mounted to a marine fuel tank facilitates refueling and minimizes the propensity for both spit-back and well back while simultaneously allowing a free flowing open pathway through which vapors generated by the refueling event may pass unencumbered.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is now directed to several drawings the illustrate features of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in exploded view.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 assembled.

Several illustrations have been provided to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a refueling device that when mounted to a marine fuel tank facilitates refueling and minimizes the propensity for both spit-back and well back while simultaneously allowing a free flowing open pathway through which vapors generated by the refueling event may pass unencumbered.

The device consists of two parts that can be made from metal or composite materials and has several features that have specific functions during the refueling event.

The first part of the device is an exterior body 1 of the spout. The body is designed with a flange 12 as to enable attachment to a fuel tank exterior surface using fasteners. The exterior body 1 of the spout has a thread 8 or tabs at the uppermost part to which a fuel cap 3 can be fastened for sealing purposes. The exterior body of the spout has sufficient mass to enable the attachment of hose barb fittings 5, 6 for the purpose of conveying refueling or venting fuel vapors.

The second part of the device is an interior sleeve 2 of the spout. The interior sleeve of the spout crates a chamber through which refueling or venting fuel vapors may be conveyed separated from the fuel tank interior for the purpose of escape during refueling or venting. The interior sleeve 2 of the spout mates to the interior diameter of the exterior body 1 of the spout and has an internal diameter that takes a typical refueling nozzle by a clearance dimension of greater than approximately 1/32″ and smaller than approximately ¼″ of the total nozzle exterior diameter. This small clearance creates a physical barrier to minimize raw fuel splash commonly known as spit-back or well back. The interior sleeve 2 of the spout has an upper flange 9 that contains smaller holes 10 that in total make up the same area as approximately a ⅝″ diameter hole. The flange holes 10 provide an unencumbered escape path from the chamber created by the mating together of the exterior body of the spout and the interior sleeve of the spout, for fuel vapors generated during the refueling event or normal tank venting.

The lower part of the device is a ball valve with a housing 4 and a ball 7 that prevents any backflow. The present invention includes the following features:

A chambered mountable marine fuel tank refueling spout device

A spit-back and well-back barrier method

A pathway for refueling vapors

A pathway for venting vapors

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A fuel tank mounted refueling device comprising: a cylindrical body having a lower flange adapted to allow direct attachment of the body to a marine tank, the body having an upper threaded portion configured to receive and secure a fuel cap; a sleeve of smaller diameter than the body adapted to be inserted into the body, the sleeve having an upper flange with a plurality of vent holes; said sleeve having an inner diameter of greater than 1/32 but less than ¼ inch the diameter of a standard refueling nozzle.
 2. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of holes has a total area of ⅝ inch.
 3. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 1 further comprising a lower section attachable to the body that includes a housing with a ball valve.
 4. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 1 further comprising a lower and upper hose nipple.
 5. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 1 wherein the body and sleeve are molded plastic.
 6. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 2 further comprising a lower section attachable to the body that includes a housing with a ball valve.
 7. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 6 further comprising a lower and upper hose nipple.
 8. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 7 wherein the body and sleeve are molded plastic.
 9. A fuel tank mounted refueling device comprising, in combination: an outer filling body attachable to a fuel tank outer surface; a removable sleeve insertable into the outer filling body having an inner diameter not greater than ¼ inch larger than a standard refueling nozzle; a plurality of holes in an upper region of the sleeve having a total area of approximately ⅝ inch.
 10. The fuel tank mounted refueling device of claim 9 further comprising a a lower section attachable to the outer filling body that includes a housing with a ball valve.
 11. A method of providing a fuel tank mounted refueling device comprising: providing a cylindrical body having a lower flange adapted to allow direct attachment of the body to a marine tank, the body having an upper threaded portion configured to receive and secure a fuel cap; providing a sleeve of smaller diameter than the body adapted to be inserted into the body, the sleeve having an upper flange with a plurality of vent holes, said sleeve having an inner diameter of greater than 1/32 but less than ¼ inch the diameter of a standard refueling nozzle.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said plurality of holes has a total area of ⅝ inch.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a lower section attachable to the body that includes a housing with a ball valve.
 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a lower and upper hose nipple.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the body and sleeve are molded plastic. 